The first step to becoming a successful investor is finding ways to come up with as much money as possible to invest. That's why investors like Warren Buffett (who, at 76 years old and Number 2 on the Forbes list, still bends over to pick up quarters) gain the upper-hand. So, in addition to studying investing, it's important to also look for ways to cut costs in other areas of your life. There is no more interesting place to read about that than Donna Freedman's pieces for MSN Money. As an adult who made the tough but good decision to go back to college, she is just scraping by. And she has some tricks for "thriving" on $12,000 a year.

Make no mistake: I'm poor by choice, because I needed to change my life. I chose to leave my marriage, and I chose to become a student. I can live this way because I know it won't be forever. I'll have my degree in two more years, and I'll go back to work.

I survive on economies large and small. I bring my laundry to baby-sitting jobs (yes, I ask permission). I brown-bag my lunch every single day. I combine coupons and rebates to get items for free (I haven't paid for toothpaste, shampoo, or other toiletries for years). I drink water, not soda.

Donna, along with a few other MSN writers, provides inspiring advice on thrift, and even manages to add money to a savings account on her current income! Check it out today.